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Conductive Polymers,
Conductive Plastics
Gina Yost
Marc Daouphars
Michael
Josh
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About
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The polyaniline family of conjugated polymers is used
throughout the world. It has a conduction mechanism that
makes it different from other polymers. It is also very stable
when in the presence of oxygen and water.
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Polymers consist of alternating single and double bonds,
called conjugated double bonds
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Used for surrounding copper wires and manufacturing the
outer structures of electrical appliances that protect humans
from direct contact.
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About
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Polymer called ‘polyactylene’ can become highly electrically
conductive after undergoing a modification process called
doping
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Doping is a process where the plastic has to be disturbed – either
by removing electrons from (oxidation) or inserting them into
(reduction) the material
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Oxidation with halogen (known as p-doping)
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Reduction with alkali metal (known as n-doping)
In becoming electrically conductive, a polymer has to imitate
a metal, that is, its electrons need to be free to move and not
bound to the atoms. Polyactylene is the simplest possible
conjugated polymer.
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Positives of Polymers
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Conductive Polymers are:
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Good insulating properties
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Good for environment stability
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Invented as an accident
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Inexpensive
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functionally versatile
lightweight
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Health Hazards
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Toxic raw materials
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Hazardous processing conditions
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Doped Polymer Explained
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This game illustrates a doped polymer. The pieces cannot
move unless there is at least one empty “hole”. In the
polymer each piece is an electron that jumps to a hole
vacated by another one. This creates a movement along the
molecule – an electric current.
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Examples/Applications
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High-capacity batteries
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Adhesives
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Artificial muscles
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Coatings, paints, inks
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Biosensors
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Touch screen
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LEDs
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Stylus
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Solar cell > solar windows
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Medicine delivery
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Photographic film
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Properties
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Density
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Temperature
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Hardness, strength, and machinability
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solubility
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Suppliers
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http://www.thomasnet.com/products/conductive-polymers96084314-1.html
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http://www.tekra.com/plastic-films-coated-plastic-filmsadhesive-products
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Project Examples
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http://www.instructables.com/id/Pneumatic-Muscles/
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http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-make-air-muscles!/
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Other Sources
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http://www.chem1.com/acad/webtext/states/polymers.html
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjMbwS0LOkU
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http://www.ch.ic.ac.uk/local/organic/tutorial/steinke/4yrPol
yConduct2003.pdf
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http://www.slideshare.net/gaurav2481/conducting-polymers